Hello,

We are interested in taking perhaps one or two day trips from venice during our six days there. We have two kids plus a baby and thought we would travel by car due to the multiple train fares, comments? We thought Bolzano Christmas Market, should we consider Bologna or elsewhere?
Not worried about driving, having driven in Italy before but are winter roads possibly an issue late November?
All suggestions appreciated.

Treviso makes a nice trip from Venice and is one of the nicest towns in the area. Bassano del Grappa and Asolo are also not too far.

Verona, Vicenza and Padova would be other options, as is Bologna.

You could also plan a day in the Dolomites if you have a car.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Padova and Vicenza are worth a day trip!

Events in the Veneto in November

http://www.hostetler.net/events.cfm

Unless you've already paid for your six days in Venice, or are otherwise getting your hotel stay free, I would think you would be wiser to pick somewhere in the Veneto to stay for 3 of those days, and spend only 3 in Venice. You'll spend less money, and you'll have more convenient access to the places you want to visit.

As for winter roads in November, it is unlikely you will have a problem unless you are in the mountains. Even then, you shouldn't be caught in any violent snowstorms. On the main highways, you should find the traffic manageable. I agree that auto travel in your situation is probably the best way to go.

All of the suggestions on where to go are good, but do consider staying at one of those places rather than visiting it. I think it will work out better for you. Good luck.

Thanks for the great inputs. We reserved 6 nights in Venice but have a couple more days to reconsider until committed. I'd like to stay elsewhere as well but have two complicating factors: We have two kids and a baby. In Venice, we found a large room for 110 Euros. All the small Hotels want us to take 2 rooms at a much higher cost, even cheap hotels.
The other issue is getting to the airport for departure, we leave 7:05 AM out of Marco Polo. Can I stay in another town and get to the airport in time for checkin? It seems from San Marco I can take the 4:35 AM Alilaguna and get to the airport by 5:45, in time to make the flight?
Worried about middle of the night train service problems.
Any suggestions to overcome these issues and diversify our stay?
Thanks again!
Wally

I wish you well, because five of you in one room is going to be tight, and I fear the "large" room won't be very large at all, especially not at that price.

With what you would otherwise spend on train fares or car rental, I'd consider just staying in Venice and trying to get more space and comfort for your family.
You can still day trip to outer parts of Venice (Murano, Burano, Torcello) just by using the vaporetti.

You can eat inexpensively if you try--lots of places that have pizza and pasta, etc. If you haven't already, look at budget-minded web sites like
ricksteves.com, frommers.com, lonelyplanet.com, etc

I have a file on Venice; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

good luck